Does USPS Charge to Change Your Address in 2024? (A $1.05 Fee Applies)

Changing your address with the United States Postal Service (USPS) costs $1.05 as of 2023, whether you do it online or in-person. This nominal fee is not meant to generate revenue but rather to verify your identity and prevent fraud. Read on for a detailed guide on how USPS address changes work, what to watch out for, and tips to make sure your mail gets forwarded properly during a move.

Overview: USPS Address Change Process and Fees

The USPS makes changing your address convenient through their website or at any post office. Here‘s an outline of the process:

• Fee: $1.05 per address change form, paid online or in person
• Timeframe: Submit form 2+ weeks before your move
• Duration: 1 year mail forwarding; options to extend
• Verification: ID and payment info checked to prevent fraud

Below are the specifics on how address changes work and what kind of fees to expect.

Legitimate USPS Address Change Fees

The only legitimate way to submit a Change of Address form is directly through USPS, either on their website or in-person. Applicable fees are:

• Online or mail-in change: $1.05
• In-person at post office: $1.05
• Address verification letter: $1.10

Some special exceptions may incur fees around $60, but the typical charge is $1.05.

Comparison of Actual USPS Fees vs. Scam Site Fees

As you can see, legitimate Postal Service fees are minimal – just over one dollar. Scam sites prey on unsuspecting consumers by grossly overcharging.

Watch Out for Address Change Scams

With the ease of setting up convincing websites these days, numerous scams exist mimicking the USPS address change process. They appear at the top of search results promising quick changes for just $1, then tacking on exorbitant extra fees later without notice.

These fraudulent sites even go so far as copying official branding, using dot-coms extremely close to usps.com, and making people think they‘re inputting info to the Postal Service directly.

However, the USPS is clear: "The official USPS website is usps.com. No other site is authorized to accept Change of Address submissions." Don‘t get tricked by cheap imitations.

Step-By-Step Guide to Changing Your Address with USPS

Follow these steps whether you opt to change your address digitally or in person.

Online Address Change Process

1. Visit usps.com
2. Click "Quick Tools"
3. Select "Change My Address"
4. Enter your moving details and personal info
5. Provide your old and new addresses
6. Pay the $1.05 fee securely online
7. Verify your identity if requested

Once submitted, you‘ll receive a confirmation email from USPS within a few minutes. Expect postal mail confirmations at both your old and new addresses shortly after.

In-Person Address Change Process

1. Go to your local post office with ID
2. Ask for Form 3575 to fill out
3. Provide old and new addresses along with contact info
4. Present an ID for verification
5. Pay $1.05 change fee
6. Receive printout confirming your address change

That‘s it! Within a couple weeks your mail will start being forwarded.

After You Change Your Address – What Happens?

Here‘s a quick overview of next steps after you‘ve completed your official USPS address change, whether online or in-person:

• ID verification if needed for fraud protection
• Payment processing to confirm your $1.05 fee
• Address records updated in USPS mail tracking databases
• Confirmation letters with your change details mailed out
• Mail forwarding activated to send post for 1 year already

Let‘s explore some of these processes in more depth.

Address Verification Steps

As fraud protection, USPS may use address verification systems after you submit a change. This checks that:

• Your name matches the identity details provided
• The address history lines up with previous postal records
• Your payment information is legitimate and matches records

If anything looks suspicious, you may be contacted to provide additional ID confirmation beyond what you input initially.

Verifications are typically completed within 1-3 business days, but could take up to 5 in rare cases.

Mail Forwarding Timeframes by Type

Once address verification completes (if needed), USPS updates your records centrally and kicks off mail forwarding to your new address. Here is how long forwarding lasts based on mail type:

• First Class: 12 months
• Priority Mail: 12 months
• Periodicals: 60 days
• Marketing Mail: Not forwarded

You can opt to extend mail forwarding in 6 month increments if needed for First Class post. An extension form is sent 60 days before your 12 month forwarding expires.

What to Do If You Don‘t Get Expected Mail

Despite changing your address successfully, you may find an occasional piece of mail doesn‘t make it to you. If that happens, here are some troubleshooting tips:

• Double check your confirmation for accuracy
• Contact the missing mail sender directly about resending
• Fill out USPS undelivered mail search forms
• Call USPS help at 1-800-ASK-USPS

Make sure to continually monitor your expected mail during a move. And don‘t hesitate to follow up promptly on any pieces gone astray.

The Takeaway – You Will Be Charged $1.05 to Update Addresses

In review, here‘s what you need to know about potential fees when changing your address with USPS:

• Official USPS address changes cost $1.05 online or in person
• This nominal fee is for identity verification, not revenue
• Any site charging $40+ is a scam
• Stick to usps.com and local post offices for changes
• Budget $1.05 and plan ahead to switch your address smoothly

Changing your address takes only a few minutes and $1.05 at USPS to make sure your mail follows you when you move. Just be wary of excessive third party fees designed to prey on busy movers.